<h2>Name</h2>
<p>
The Surah is so designated after the word <em>al buruj</em> appearing in the
first verse.
</p>
<h2>Period of Revelation</h2>
<p>
The subject matter itself indicates that this Surah was sent down at
Makkah in the period when persecution of the Muslims was at its climax
and the disbelievers of Makkah were trying their utmost by tyranny and
coercion to turn away the new converts from Islam.
</p>
<h2>Theme and Subject Matter</h2>
<p>
Its theme is to warn the disbelievers of the evil consequences of the
persecution and tyranny that they were perpetrating on the converts to
Islam, and to console the believers, so as to say: "If you remain firm
and steadfast against tyranny and coercion, you will be rewarded
richly for it, and Allah will certainly avenge Himself on your
persecutors on your behalf."
</p>
<p>
In this connection, first of all the story
of the people of the ditch (<em>ashab al-ukhdud</em>) had been related, who had
burnt the believers to death by casting them into pits full of fire.
By means of this story the believers and the disbelievers have been
taught a few lessons. First, that just as the people of the ditch
became worthy of Allah's curse and punishment, so are the chiefs of
Makkah also becoming worthy of it. Second, that just as the believers
at that time had willingly accepted to sacrifice their lives by being
burnt to death in the pits of fire instead of turning away from the
faith, so also the believers now should endure every persecution but
should never give up the faith. Third, that Gods acknowledging Whom
displeases the disbelievers and is urged on by the believers, is
Dominant and Master of the Kingdom of the earth and heavens; He is
self-praiseworthy and is watching what the two groups are striving
for. Therefore, it is certain that the disbelievers will not only be
punished in Hell for their disbelief but, more than that, they too
will suffer punishment by fire as a fit recompense for their tyranny
and cruelties. Likewise, this also is certain that those, who believe
and follow up their belief with good deeds, should go to Paradise and
this indeed is the supreme success. Then the disbelievers have been
warned, so as to say: "God's grip is very severe. If you are proud of
the strength of your hosts, you should know that the hosts of Pharaoh
and Thamud were even stronger and more numerous. Therefore, you should
learn a lesson from the fate they met. God's power has so encompassed
you that you cannot escape His encirclement, and the Qur'an that you
are bent upon belying, is unchangeable: it is inscribed in the
Preserved Tablet, which cannot be corrupted in any way."
</p>

